Flexible constructs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018064434-A1
Application number	US-201615255286-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 2, 2016
Priority date	Sep 2, 2016
Publication date	Mar 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible construct according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, a sheath and a suture connected to the sheath to form an adjustable loop. The suture includes a plurality of barbs that permit movement of the suture in a first direction relative to the sheath and restrict movement in a second direction relative to the sheath.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A tissue closure assembly, comprising:
a sheath; and a suture connected to the sheath to form an adjustable loop, the suture having a plurality of barbs that permit movement of the suture in a first direction relative to the sheath and restrict movement in a second direction relative to the sheath.

2 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sheath includes a first sheath end and a second sheath end.

3 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 2 , wherein the suture includes a first suture end, a second suture end, and the first suture end is attached to the first sheath end.

4 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of barbs is directed towards the first suture end.

5 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first suture end is fixedly received within the sheath at the first sheath end.

6 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 5 , wherein the suture is fixedly attached to the sheath with an adhesive.

7 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second suture end is received in the second sheath end.

8 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 3 comprising an exit hole located in the sheath between the first sheath end and the second sheath end.

9 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second end of the suture is configured to be received within the exit hole.

10 . The tissue closure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sheath is tubular in shape and is made of a fibrous material.

11 . A method, comprising:
attaching a first piece of tissue to a second piece of tissue via a flexible construct including a sheath and a barbed suture having a plurality of barbs, wherein the plurality of barbs permits movement of the barbed suture in a first direction relative to the sheath and restrict movement in a second direction relative to the sheath.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the sheath includes a first sheath end and a second sheath end.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the barbed suture includes a first suture end and a second suture end, wherein the first suture end is attached to the first sheath end.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said attaching step includes:
inserting the second suture end into the second sheath end; and engaging a portion of the sheath with the plurality of barbs to prevent the second suture end from separating from the sheath.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said attaching step includes:
passing the second suture end through an exit hole in a side of the sheath.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said attaching step includes:
surrounding the first piece of tissue and the second piece of tissue with the barbed suture and the sheath.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first piece of tissue and the second piece of tissue are portions of the same tissue.

18 . A flexible construct, comprising:
a suture; at least one splice in the suture; and a barbed device located at least partially within the splice and configured to reinforce the splice.

19 . The flexible construct of claim 18 , wherein the at least one splice includes a splice entrance and a splice exit; and a portion of the barbed device is located between the splice entrance and the splice exit.

20 . The flexible construct of claim 19 , wherein the barbed device includes a second portion located within the suture spaced from the at least one splice.

21 . The flexible construct of claim 18 , wherein the barbed device includes a first plurality of barbs and a second plurality of barbs directed towards a mid-portion of the barbed device.

22 . The flexible construct of claim 18 , wherein the at least one splice forms an eyelet splice.

23 . The flexible construct of claim 22 , wherein the at least one splice comprises a second splice and a button wherein the second splice forms a second eyelet splice and the first eyelet splice and the second eyelet splice form an adjustable loop with the button.

24 . A method, comprising:
passing a suture through a first splice in a first direction; and restricting movement of the suture through the first splice in a second direction with a barbed device.

25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the barbed device is located within an interior of the suture and includes a first plurality of barbs directed in a first direction and a second plurality of barbs directed in a second opposite direction.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the first plurality of barbs and the second plurality of barbs are directed in are directed towards a mid-portion of the barbed device.

27 . The method of claim 25 , including passing the suture through a second splice in a third direction and restricting movement of the suture through the second splice in a fourth direction.

28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the suture forms an adjustable loop and the barbed device prevents the adjust loop from expanding in size.

Assignees

• Arthrex Inc

Inventors

• Jolly Jacob A
• Perez Iii Arley
• Laviano Anthony A
• Osika Andrew K

Classifications

• A61B17/0401 Primary

  Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811) · CPC title

• A61B17/0487 Primary

  Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks (suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122) · CPC title

• A61B2017/06176

  with protrusions, e.g. barbs · CPC title

• A61B2017/0464

  for soft tissue · CPC title

• A61B17/06166

  Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M) · CPC title